September 1999:

The Bill of Rights Institute is established to educate the next generation about America’s Founding principles.

The idea for the Bill of Rights Institute began in 1998 when philanthropist Charles Koch expressed to Victoria Hughes his interest in supporting a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing understanding and appreciation of the individual liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Hughes – a former teacher – reviewed existing organizations and offered Mr. Koch various suggestions about projects he might fund.  He rejected these small, “one off” programs, asking Hughes to find an educational approach that was both sustained and large-scale. 

Drawing on her classroom experience and understanding the challenges of engaging 21st century students with 18th century documents, Hughes drafted a concept paper describing a new educational organization that would help 100,000 middle and high school teachers teach their students about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights – as required in the core curriculum of U.S. History, Civics, and American Government courses.  Mr. Koch thought that the plan had great potential and provided seed money for the organization that became the Bill of Rights Institute.

The Bill of Rights Institute was officially launched on September 1, 1999.  Its mission is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society.